During a triathlon about a year ago I was privileged to be able to swim under this bridge and was fascinated to look up and see the underside for the first time. But I wish I had seen this photo first, it adds another dimension!

Geezer, if it makes you feel any better, my mother drove a cab in Washington back in the 1950s, and she once circled the Washington Monument a dozen or more times trying to find a fare who was waiting at the Lincoln Memorial. (And no, I don't believe the radio dispatcher ever did let her forget it.)

Where exactly is the Potomaxc River? Is it any were near were the car lost it's tire?

[Oopxs. - Dave]

I was thinking of the Washington Monument while writing about the Lincoln Memorial. I never claimed to be much of a multi-tasker.

Except for the Thompson Boat house located farther north up the Potomac and the Georgetown/Rosslyn crossing via the old Aqueduct Bridge, I don't recall seeing any other houses or boathouses in older photos anywhere else on the Potomac river. The buildings in the background on the DC side of the water in this photo is all reclaimed park land now.

Interesting. I never knew anything else was built there beforehand.

Great Picture! Really interesting to see beneath the stonework and how the bridge was constructed. Most excellent. And designed without the help of a computer, just slide rules. Amazing when you consider the complexity shown.

About three hours ago, I returned from a six day stay in Washington. What spurred me to go in the first place was the previous photo of this bridge. I just fired up the laptop and what do I see? That very bridge. I can now say from personal experience that it is a beautiful bridge that affords a spectacular view of the Lincoln Monument as you stroll across it. To be able to see the construction of it is just icing on the cake. Thanks, Shorpy.

[Ahem. Lincoln Memorial. And you're welcome! - Dave]